Therapeutic potential of spiramycin-nanoparticles and Aluvia in experimental congenital toxoplasmosis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of spiramycin, spiramycin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) and Aluvia for the treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis in a murine model. The study was conducted on 60 pregnant Swiss albino mice, 30 controls and 30 experimental. After performing a pilot study, mice were injected subcutaneously with the virulent Toxoplasma gondii RH strain (30 tachyzoites/mouse) on day 15 of pregnancy (3rd gestation period). The drugs were evaluated based on pregnancy outcomes (number of mice with live birth, stillbirth and abortion), number of live offspring, live pups' weight and congenital anomalies. Histopathological changes in the offspring's brain were studied. Regarding pregnancy outcomes, all mice in the non-infected control group delivered live offspring. T. gondii infection significantly decreased the live birth rate, while treatment with spiramycin, spiramycin-loaded CSNPs, and Aluvia improved pregnancy outcomes without statistical significance compared to the non-infected control. The highest number of offspring was observed in the normal non-infected control subgroup (94 pups/10 mice). Among the treated groups, spiramycin-loaded CSNPs resulted in the highest offspring count (46 pups/10 mice) and ranked first in mean pups weight, followed by Aluvia. Congenital anomalies were observed among the offspring of both infected untreated and infected treated mothers. Offspring brain tissues revealed substantial histopathological improvement in the spiramycin-loaded CSNPs and Aluvia-treated groups. In conclusion, spiramycin-loaded CSNPs and Aluvia demonstrated low parasite burden and successfully restored normal brain architecture in the offspring. However, congenital anomalies persisted and remained a significant concern.